Political Tussle Erupts: Daily Report for February 6, 2024
In the vibrant academic year of 2023, Park University was abuzz with a multitude of significant events and stories that garnered national and international attention. Here's a round-up of some of the most notable happenings at the esteemed institution.
Firstly, Dr. Matt Harris, an associate professor of political science, found himself in the spotlight on WDAF-TV in Kansas City, discussing the Kansas City Royals' pursuit of a community benefits agreement as they sought a new downtown stadium.
Meanwhile, Behzod Abduraimov, the artist-in-residence at Park University's International Center for Music, graced the cover of the January/February issue of International Piano magazine.
The biographical film "Oppenheimer," set for release in the summer of 2023, brought Park University's Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections into the limelight in Kansas City region news outlets. The archives, rich with history, were connected to three Park University alumni who played crucial roles in the Manhattan Project, a research and development program in World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.
Sports enthusiasts were not left out either. The Parkville (Mo.) Board of Aldermen held a meeting on January 30, which included a National Girls and Women in Sports Day proclamation. The event was attended by Park University's director of athletics, Kristin Gillette, and student-athletes Emma Perry, Nevaeh Spillman, and Kiersten Robbins.
In the realm of academia, Dr. Jamie Els, the programming director for Park University's Faculty Center for Innovation, published an article titled "WWW (When Websites Work): Students' Perceptions of Their Engagement When Using a Website Creation Tool" in the December 2023 edition of Perspectives in Learning.
Vlatko Andonovski, '08, head coach and sporting director of the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League, announced the appointment of Milan Ivanovic, '10, as an assistant coach of the team.
Dr. Kathy Howe, an associate professor of literacy education and director of the Watson Literacy Center, and Dr. Suzanne Tiemann, an assistant professor of education, co-authored the article "Awareness and Access Matter: Making Professional Associations Available to Support Literacy Teachers' Ongoing PL" and published it in the January 2024 edition of the Michigan Reading Journal.
The year also saw the election of Dr. Adrian James, associate dean of Park University’s College of Management, as the secretary and treasurer of the board of directors for the Platte County (Mo.) Economic Development Council.
Dr. Andrew Shoffner was appointed as vice president for strategic initiatives at Park University, effective February 5. His role will involve synchronizing and coordinating efforts across University departments and the administration, overseeing and guiding critical strategic initiatives, and leading the development and implementation of a longer-term strategic plan.
Lastly, the Office of Strategic Communications at Park University compiled a list of the University's biggest events and stories of the year, providing a comprehensive overview of the institution's 2023 highlights.
For those interested in delving deeper into these events, exploring Park University's official news page or archives from 2023, contacting the University's communications or public relations office, or checking local news outlets covering Park University during 2023 could prove fruitful.
- In the educational and self-development realm, Dr. Jamie Els, the programming director for Park University's Faculty Center for Innovation, contributed to the field by publishing an article in the December 2023 edition of Perspectives in Learning.
- General news outlets highlighted learning opportunities, as the biographical film "Oppenheimer," set for release in the summer of 2023, brought Park University's Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections into focus due to its historical connections to three Park University alumni who played crucial roles in the Manhattan Project.
